A man has made great progress in cunning when he does not seem too clever to others.

Incivility is not a Vice of the Soul, but the effect of several Vices; of Vanity, Ignorance of Duty, Laziness, Stupidity, Distraction, Contempt of others, and Jealousy.

Politeness does not always inspire goodness, equity, complaisance, and gratitude; it gives at least the appearance of these qualities, and makes man appear outwardly, as he should be within.

A man reveals his character even in the simplest things he does.

We rarely repent of speaking little, but often of speaking too much.

Piety with some people, but especially with women, is either a passion, or an infirmity of age, or a fashion which must be followed.

To what excesses do men rush for the sake of religion, of whose truth they are so little persuaded, and to whose precepts they pay so little regard!